hi help regarding ra flare ups

[Guest guest]

hi all i was diagnosed with ra approx 9 months ago but think i have had

it a while my gp gave me athrotec i saw the rheumatologist who told me

to keep taking this until i have a joint scan she said because of the

side effects of other drugs and my age i am 42 the longer i can stay of

these drugs the better i have good and bad days about 3weeks ago my

knees were very painful i went to the doctor who said it was an ra

flare and gave me painkillers last week my knuckles and fingers became

very swollen and painful simple tasks became very difficult i also felt

very fatigued and generally unwell all i want to do is sleep i went to

see my gp who stopped athrotec and gave me etodolac 300mg twice a day

i see the rheumatoligist again in feb how often do these flare ups come

and would i feel better if i was on stronger medication please help

[Guest guest]

Hi Suzie, I will try and help but I'm not a DR. I don't know if MTX is

available in the UK but when my Rheumy put me on it, after a couple of months it

started to help. He also put me on Folic Acid 6 days a week for the side

affects. I'm new to RA, about 6 months diagnosed, but I've been reading all the

posts and I hope I don't have to go to the shots some of you are taking. Also

Suzie, I have fibromyalgia for about 20 years and I truly rely on my pain pills.

I don't over take them but I do take 2 a day. That really seems to help the RA

as well. Talk to your Dr. about these meds and maybe they will help you.

Please know that I care and I will be praying for you. Take tender gentle care

of yourself. Gentle Hugs, Bonnie

To the world you may be one person,

to one person you may be the world!

I found my birth daughter,

her name is !

www.bonniesplace1.com

Posted by: " suziesuesusan " suziesuesusan@... suziesuesusan

Tue Jan 8, 2008 6:30 pm (PST)

hi all I was diagnosed with ra approx 9 months ago but think I have had

it a while my gp gave me athrotec I saw the rheumatologist who told me

to keep taking this until I have a joint scan she said because of the

side effects of other drugs and my age I am 42 the longer I can stay of

these drugs the better I have good and bad days about 3weeks ago my

knees were very painful I went to the doctor who said it was an ra

flare and gave me painkillers last week my knuckles and fingers became

very swollen and painful simple tasks became very difficult I also felt

very fatigued and generally unwell all I want to do is sleep I went to

see my gp who stopped athrotec and gave me etodolac 300mg twice a day

I see the rheumatoligist again in feb how often do these flare ups come

and would I feel better if I was on stronger medication please help